Albert "Al" Schexnaydre

Albert Francis Schexnaydre was born on January 4, 1924 in New Sarpy, Louisiana, better known today as Destrehan, LA, and died in Mobile, Alabama on June 5, 2024. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Daisy Saxon Schexnaydre; parents, Nicholas and Melanie Schexnaydre; brothers; Oswald (Emma) Schexnaydre, Roland (Helen) Schexnaydre, Ralph Schexnaydre Sr., Huey (Janet) Schexnaydre; sister, Ethel (Stephen) Tramonte; brother-in-law Ned Duhon. He is survived by his sister, Bernadine Duhon of Destrehan, LA; sister-in-law, Shirley Schexnaydre of Destrehan, LA; daughters, Melanie S. (Greg) Burgoon, April M. (Steve) Kennedy; a granddaughter, Jennifer S. Burgoon.
Albert only spoke French the first 8 years of his life. At that time his whole family only spoke French. A very special Catholic nun spent time with Little Albert to teach him English. He was a very smart young boy and picked up on languages very quickly and always had a passion for learning something new. He loved books and loved to read. Albert had a very happy childhood with fond memories of growing up in and around New Orleans. All the brothers would swim every summer in the Mississippi River and do some serious fishing. Albert always considered that he had a Tom Sawyer childhood. The brothers caught blue catfish, flounder, muscles, bluegill, grouper, crawfish, and had shrimp nets and shrimp boxes in several different locations. Lake Pontchartrain was another favorite spot for all their afternoon adventures. The boy's caught salmon, herring, crabs, and oysters then the boys would bring home to momma all their catch and she would make the most wonderful, classic New Orleans style gumbo, while hot homemade bread baked in the oven along with fresh vegetables every day.
The family were great farmers. During the Great Depression they never knew there was a shortage of food. They had a productive crop each year that yielded so many vegetables. They took what they had left over to the French Market in New Orleans to sell on the weekends. They had many fruit trees and one of the neighbors had a huge peach tree that the boys just loved to climb to get all the peaches they wanted. Most of which were hanging on a limb over their yard anyway. They were a little mischievous but would never do anything to hurt anyone. They loved their family and sisters, and most of all they loved their parents. One day their daddy came home with a horse when Little Albert was about 3 years old. His father said, "Son this is your horse." Albert looked up at his daddy and said, "This is my horse daddy." His father replied, "Yes son this is your horse." They had the horse for a while and then one day his daddy had to trade the horse for a cow, because the family needed a source for milk. So here comes his daddy with a cow, and Albert says, "Where's my horse?" His father replied, "Son I had to trade it for this cow for milk." Little Albert stomped his feet on the ground, balled both his fists, and pitched little hissy fit. He said, "No daddy no! That was my horse." "I know son" his dad replied, "but we needed milk."
Albert always had a close relationship with his mother and father. Being the first born his mom adored him. He was about 13 when he went into the hospital for appendicitis. He would tell the story of how he got to ride around the hospital halls in a handmade wooden wheelchair doing wheelies and running up and down the hallways.
Then Albert got drafted into the military. He was on a ship for 31 days headed for Manila in the Philippine Islands. He was a brave and patriotic soldier who loved his country and was honored to serve in the United States Army. From the Army he went to LSU on the GI Bill and graduated with Honors at the top of his class in 1949. Then Albert met the love of his life, Daisy Saxon, a nursing student with high hopes and a great future. He was recruited and asked if he would like to work for General Electric. He said, "Yes" and before you knew it he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Albert and his bride lived 68 ½ years together and shared a wonderful marriage They enjoyed each other's company on dinner outings, season tickets to the symphony, traveling to all the National Parks. They were always great hosts for their neighbors at cookouts and for any family and friends who would drop by in those early years. Albert had a long career as an Aircraft Engineer. He would often have to entertain Boeing CEO's when they flew in from Germany. G E would have a fleet of limousines waiting with Dom Perignon in each one. He retired from G E and then went to work for Belcan. Sometimes the winters in Cincinnati were brutal compared to his New Orleans home. He would always remember his time in Cincinnati when the temperature dipped to 26 degrees below 0 and snow blanketed the entire city. Albert and Daisy could be found shoveling the snow on these cold winter days. She said something about this to Albert he would respond by saying, "We were young and tough in those days." Albert had some great neighbors who shoveled snow for him everyday, Mark and Tracie Paluta not only where they there for them they included them in every holiday, including taking them to his birthday dinners and other celebrations. They became not only neighbors but friends. Also Carol Ritz was always there for them with there crossword puzzles and a variety of snacks from time to time. His neighbor David Wentz from across the street looked after him by cooking homemade lunches and dinners for them, taking him to the doctor when needed, and bringing him down to Mobile when he wanted to be with his family. They had two children to raise and tried to keep them out of trouble.
Days turned into years, and he lost the love of his life on July 21, 2016, when Daisy passed. He was devoted to her to the very end. After her passing, Albert would go to Wednesday lunches with a group of his buddies from G E. People were always amazed at how well he could get around. He was always very healthy and took good care of himself. During Covid his neighbors would bring him lunches and dinners from time to time. Angela tried to teach him how to prepare easy and healthy meals and he really enjoyed that. But one day he called and asked if he could move down with Wayne and Angela. He said, "I'm tired of being alone." So he packed up and his neighbor drove him down South and he seemed very happy to be with family. Angela cooked great meals for him, all his favorite foods. We took him to movies, dinners, he played golf, rode horses on the beach, traveled with them, stayed on the Suwannee River, and fished till there was no tomorrow while fully enjoying life. Albert was loved by so many people and will surely be missed by his family and friends.
Visitation for Mr. Schexnaydre will be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Freeman Funeral Home, 1305 Skyland Drive, Waynesboro, MS. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Freeman Funeral Home with Mr. Arthur Lee Nored officiating. Interment will be in Hephzibah Cemetery in Shubuta, MS with Military Honors.